BOLDscreen

For stimulus presentation, we use a 32" BOLD screen from Cambridge Research Systems at 3T, 7T as well as the mock scanner. In the psychophysics/physiology lab we use a Display++ from the same manufacturer.

Most important specifications

• Size: 32 inch
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh Rate: 100 or 120 Hz
• maximum luminance for all screens (the brightest white): 240 cd/m2
• minimum luminance for all screens (the darkest black): 0.2 cd/m2
• gamma for grey values on all screens: approximately 2.20. Below are more precise gamma values for the BOLD screen at the 7T scanner (we will soon add precise values for the other screens):
  • 7T, grey: gamma= 2.0156
  • 7T, red: gamma= 2.0967
  • 7T, green: gamma= 2.1454
  • 7T, blue: gamma= 2.3706

3T

• Distance eye to mirror = ~10cm
• Distance mirror to screen = ~148cm
• Total distance ~158cm

7T

• Distance eye to mirror = ~5cm
• Distance mirror to screen = ~205cm
• Total distance ~210cm

Luminance and linearization of the screens

All screens (3T, 7T, mock scanner and psychophysics/physiology lab) have the same (nonlinear!) settings with a maximum luminance of 240 cd/m2.

Visual stimuli are commonly defined in terms of DAC values for the video card. These values tend to scale from 0-255 but the luminance on the screen is not linearly related to these values.

Instead, there's a power-law that determines this relationship (y=x^g), but the gamma parameter (g) for this function needs to be determined by measurement.

Luminance was measured for all screens using a Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, available for loan at the NIN (Mechanotronics department, Joris Coppens).

To calculate the normalized luminance (Lnorm; i.e. when maximum and minimum luminance are represented by 1 and 0, respectively):

 Lnorm = (D/255) ^ g  

To calculate the absolute luminance (Labs) in [cd/m2]:

 Labs = Lmin + (Lmax - Lmin) * ((D/255)^g)

To transform your DAC values to 'linearized' DAC values (Dlin; i.e. such that the original DAC values have a linear relation to the output luminance):

 Dlin = EXP(LOG(D/255)/g) * 255
 or:
 Dlin = ((D/255)^(1/g)) * 255

where

D = DAC value

g = gamma

Lmax = maximum luminance [cd/m2]

Lmin = minimum luminance [cd/m2]

This File:2021 ExampleLuminanceCurve BOLDscreen SC.zip contains example measurements, scripts, output, and a short explanation.

Troubleshooting

Screen does not show any image

If the screen does not show any image (also not the test screen) when powering up, check the LED at the back (pinhole). Green indicates nominal function, red malfunction. If red, reseating the SD and power-cycling the screen may resolve the issue.

Setting correct screen layout, resolution and refresh rate on 3T

For pdf version of the instructions on Setting the correct screen layout, resolution and refresh rate on the 3T-stimulus computer, see: Editting screen properties of the stimulus computer

Setting the correct screen layout, resolution and refresh rate on the 3T-stimulus, v1.0

1. In case of problems, first open “NVIDIA control panel” (right-click in the desktop)

Select NVIDIA control panel

2. Under “Set up multiple displays”, make sure

• displays 1, 2 and 3 are ticked
• 1 is on the left (drag it to the left if not)
• 2 and 3 are cloned (right click on 3 and select “Clone with 2” if not)
• 2 | 3 are set as primary (as indicated by * in the right top corner, right click on 2|3 and select “Make primary” if not.

NVIDIA control panel

3. Under “Change resolution”, make sure

• . all three displays are set to PC, 1920 x 1080 (you can select one by left-clicking on the display)
• all three displays are set to a refresh rate of 120Hz. If one display is set to another refresh rate, move on to step 4 after step 3c to change it to the correct rate. Otherwise, you are set for a three-monitor setup after step 3c.
• If you made any changes, select “Apply” and answer “Yes” when asked “Would you like to keep these changes?”. Close the window by clicking X in the top-right corner.

NVIDIA control panel

4. Close NVIDIA control Panel and open “Screen resolution” (right-click in the desktop)

Select screen resolution control panel

5. Select display 1 and click “Advanced settings”

Screen resolution control panel

6. Next, go to the tab “Monitor”

Tab monitor control panel

7. Make sure “Screen refresh rate” is set to 120Hz and select OK. Close the window by clicking X in the top-right corner.

Tab monitor control panel

8. Do the same for the cloned displays 2|3 (go through steps 5 to 7).

9. You are set for a three-monitor setup after step 10. If you require a two-monitor setup (because your task is not programmed to set up the displays correctly), untick display 1 in step 2. After completing your experiment, please enable display one and go through the steps above.

10. Close all windows by clicking X in the top-right corner.

Moving the BOLD screen at the 7T

See https://www.spinozacentre.nl/scwiki/index.php/BOLD_hoistBOLD hoist